California official recognizes water researcher in H.B.

California Lt. Gov. John Garamendi set foot in Huntington Beach Thursday night, as part of an awards presentation for a nationally-recognized water researcher.

The Fountain Valley-based National Water Research Institute presented its 15th annual Clarke Prize to aquatic scientist Nancy Rabalais that evening at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort, in honor of her efforts to change public policy on water quality issues. At the event, Garamendi presented Louisiana-based Rabalais a proclamation to recognize her research.

Rabalais then gave a lecture on hypoxia, the low-oxygen “dead zones” in places like the Gulf of Mexico, often caused by agricultural runoff from fertilizer.

The Clarke award comes with a $50,000 prize and a medallion.

— Michael Alexander